There is a new willingness in the Catholic Church, modeled by Pope Francis, to hold its disagreements in fruitful tension, allowing the Spirit to show new paths forward that transcend those divisions.

In many senses, Pope Francis has proven the most communication-savvy pontiff in history. Francis has proven willing to make himself available to a degree that previous popes never even considered.

Our readers offered a variety of perspectives on Pope Benedict XVI and his ministry after the publication of America's articles on his life and passing.

Pope Francis has dismissed the idea that he could soon resign and stated clearly for the first time, “I believe that the pope’s ministry is ad vitam [for life]. I see no reason why it should not be so.”

Pope Francis explains the passion for evangelizing, which means that the disciples simultaneously stay with Jesus and go forth, having been sent by him.

Pope Francis today publicly denounced the sentencing of Nicaragua’s Bishop Rolando Álvarez to 26 years and four months in prison.